A Look Back at PLTW Summit 2016: Keynote Speaker Daymond John

Daymond John, co-star on ABC’s Emmy Award-winning reality business show “Shark Tank,” brought PLTW Summit 2016 to a close with an inspiring keynote that earned a standing ovation from guests. In his speech, John shared stories from his moving personal journey, addressed topics including workforce preparation and entrepreneurship, and shed light on the experiences that shaped who he is today.

During his talk, John emphasized the tremendous worth of failure. He noted that throughout his career, he’s failed far more than he has triumphed; however, those tests were learning opportunities that prepared him with the knowledge and skills he needed to succeed.

John also described how both mentorship from educators as well as hands-on, relevant learning made an impact on his life. In a post-keynote interview with PLTW President and CEO Vince Bertram, John shared that his school counselor was “the one who realized that I had that entrepreneurial spirit.”

“He advised me to go into a co-op program where I would work one week and I would go to school the next,” John said. “And when I started to work and I started to see this world of business, I’d then come back to school and apply that mentality to schoolwork, and then apply my schoolwork mentality to (business). And it really helped me grow.”